Minorities and Direct Democracy in Liechtenstein

Abstract

The Liechtenstein political system exhibits a complex range of institutions and players. Basically, power in the state is divided between the power of the people and the power of the prince. The people exerts its power through representative organs on the one hand – a single chamber parliament and an indirectly elected government – and by direct-democratic rights on the other. Of the direct-democratic rights the most important are the binding and decisive popular initiative and the veto against parliamentary decisions by popular referendum – both normally decided upon in a ballot. In all cases, however, legal provisions can only enter into force if the prince gives his assent. In addition, the constitutional court has power to guarantee the rule of law. Popular initiatives have to be compatible with the constitution and international treaties, such as the European Convention on Human Rights. This complex system of state institutions and decisive rights of different stakeholders largely avoids the use of direct-democratic instruments against minorities. On the other hand, direct democracy can slow down the process of eliminating discrimination, whenever such attempts are blocked in a ballot. The long period before female suffrage was finally introduced in 1984 is symbolic of this braking effect on progress. Direct-democratic practice in Liechtenstein gives evidence both of protection of minorities as well as decisions unfavourable to minorities. In many cases, however, this is only a stepping-stone to an ultimately better balanced solution reached later on in another ballot, or simply by parliamentary decision.